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Committee votes to expand Education Freedom Account eligibility to universal after FY26
Summary
The committee approved an amendment to HB 115 raising the income threshold to 400% of federal poverty guidelines for FY26 and making Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) universally available starting FY27. The amendment and the bill as amended were reported OTPA on a 10–8 roll-call vote.
The House Education Committee voted to expand the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program by adopting an amendment that raises the income threshold to 400% of the federal poverty guideline for FY 2026 and removes the income threshold for FY 2027 and later, effectively making the program universally available to eligible resident K–12 students.
Representative Ladd moved amendment 0651H, explaining the measure increases the EFA eligibility threshold from 350% to 400% of the federal poverty guideline for FY 2026 and eliminates the income threshold as of July 1, 2026. “...in the second year, we're opening up to all, and that includes those that are in private schools right now,” he said while discussing the amendment.
Members debated fiscal exposure and program effects. Representative Ladd and supporters argued the cost exposure is modest compared with statewide education spending and noted many private- and home-schooled students would become eligible; Ladd estimated a combined FY26–FY27 cost in committee discussion at roughly $17.5 million in one scenario, while Representative Luno cited a higher exposure calculation around $102 million when multiplying the full count of nonpublic and home-education students by the average EFA award. Representative Fellows, Representative Damon and others warned that expanding universal access could increase state costs and shift aid away from public districts; concerns were also raised about auditing, outcomes measurement and whether the program primarily serves families who would already choose private options.
Committee members debated program reporting and accountability. Representative Damon and others asked for stronger outcome measures and annual compliance reviews; proponents noted the program uses testing and portfolios for accountability and pointed to national studies proponents cite in support of choice programs.
The amendment passed on a roll-call vote of 10–8 and the committee voted OTPA on HB 115 as amended, 10–8. A minority report was requested.
Votes at a glance: amendment 0651H passed (10-8); OTPA on HB 115 as amended passed (10-8).
